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Human-rights advocate brings PWR to people
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Published: October 23, 2009
Wilda Spalding dreams of connecting North Carolina to the larger world of thought, activism and change. And she wants the world to hear her adopted state's voices.
So Spalding, an international human-rights advocate, has worked with a team of local religious and community leaders to put together Triad PWR Days -- five days of activities beginning today that honor such a variety of things as the International Year of the Gorilla, a local interfaith garden and a peace ceremony that draws on chanting traditions from India. PWR refers to Parliament of the World's Religions, Spalding said, but she likes the way that it implies the word "power" as well.
The activities here are a precursor to the parliament, an international gathering to be held Dec. 3-9 in Melbourne, Australia, that will examine global climate change, the environment and the spirituality of young people. About 8,000 people representing all of the world's religions are expected to attend.
Many of the events will be shaped around the creation of a "People's Document" that will be sent to the parliament and the United Nation's Copenhagen Climate Conference, which will take place Dec. 7-18.
The people's document will contain recommendations from those in the area for world leaders to consider at the two international events, Spalding said.
"We want to highlight North Carolina people," she said, "to let the best of different faiths and heritages shine."
The activities in Winston-Salem mirror similar gatherings in communities around the world, Spalding said.
She said she hopes that people who participate in the activities will feel a spirit of optimism and a sense of strength. Too many people think that change is something that has to be legislated, Spalding said, but people can create change without waiting for laws or proclamations.
Fleming El-Amin, a social-studies teacher at Glenn High School, said that the weekend's activities are for open-minded people who have a passion for making a difference.
El-Amin said he became involved with Spalding's planning group because, as a teacher, he wants to see children grow up with a more international perspective.
"If you're a citizen blessed to be in the United States, the world looks to us for influence," he said. "We have the obligation if we're in this country to be sensitive to world events."
mgiunca@wsjournal.com
727-4089
For more information on the Triad PWR Days events, go to www.triadpwrdays.com.
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